If there was someway to meld OJ's slashing, Ricky Williams's light-everythingness and Onterrio Smith's -inator ability... that would be the best back ever. Can you even imagine? Absent that though, I think I might agree on Bam Bam.

There seems to be some confusion here. We all didn't need anything. You want to discuss the best running back of all-time. Your thread got deleted. So you Googled some phrase that led you to a 2002 Week 8 poll on ESPN.com and posted that. Fantastic. Thanks.

Gonna go with Payton because of his determination, perserverance and I'm from Chicago, but Barry Sanders is a close second. I mean, he played for the Lion's and still averaged 1500 yards and 10 td a season. The best quote I ever heard was Richard Dent saying you hope you tackle him

Hater, I laughed at your OJ joke. (If the so-called Lions fan posts in this thread again, I'll eat my hat. He's not even reading this.) And picking from everyone that's been mentioned so far? Bam Morris. What the hell.

Barry Sanders was a pleasure to watch, it was a shame he retired so early or this would be a different conversation. Walter Payton was tough and had so much heart. Neither of them had much talent around them on offense and both were class acts. Jim Brown was by far the most dominant back of his time. He would run people over and then burn past the rest of the defense. So much power and speed. To say that no back in history even comes close to Sanders is just stupid. I love Sanders, but I think those three backs are so close that it is hard to determine the best. They were all in different era's of football. They all had a different style of running and they all did damage.

He hasn't even gotten started yet, but LaDanian Tomlinson will be at the top of this list when his career is over. For now....I have to go with Barry. He juked people out of their shoes every Sunday, and put up awesome numbers on a terrible team... But O.J. will always be the best Slasher....

English? Pish posh. I think someone must've posted a link to this really cool sports message board on some popular website. But instead, they used all sorts of numbers and shortspeak. I don't know that language though.

Why does Emmitt Smith never get mentioned in these things? He had a complete game and unlike some great backs was willing and able to block (I'm looking at you, Jim brown) he played at an incredibly high level and was incredibly consistent, if not the flashiest guy out there. If we're talking about best at the RB position, not just best at running the ball, he gets my vite.

There are three categories that really make a good back and here are my picks for those categories along with the best back. Marshall Faulk = Best All-Around Back Ever Barry Sanders = Best "running" back Marshall Faulk = Best "recieving" back Marshall Faulk = Best "blocking" back

"Jim Brown is to running backs what Superman is to cartoon heroes." Jim Brown was the best ever. He's before my time, but that's what the guys I admired say, so I'll take their word for it. And the evidence is there for anyone that wants to look. My faves were O.J. Simpson and Walter Payton. But the most awesome RB that I have ever seen -- on TV and in-person -- was Earl Campbell. Even when you watched him, you winced. Not just at the linebackers trying to put up a brick wall and stop him -- which he ruthlessly punished -- but also the abuse that Campbell put himself through. He laid his body on the line. If he was the sort that ran outta bounds all the time (hello Eric Dickerson) he might have preserved himself and put together more seasons. But what he gave was simply amazing, and his refusal to run out of bounds is the stuff that lives in memory.

I like Craig "IronHead" Heyward. But just because of his nickname. Maybe Frank Gifford. Marcus Allen, he was brave enough to hose OJ's old lady and smart enough to stop when he started killin' MFers. (Then again, hosing her after OJ killed her isn't much fun, er so I have heard) Larry Czonka flat ran over folks in the early 70's Boppin' Bo Jackson was some for real tough

Okay, if we're veering off topic into "coulda been, shoulda been," then I have to go with Billy Sims. If his knee hadn't detonated like cheap TNT in 1984, he could have easily made every top ten list ever made. 5,100 yds, 42 TD in just over four years. And, if we're not veering, then Walter Payton. The man had the deadliest stiffarm in football history, and might as well have been made out of concrete, he was so tough.

As a longtime Bills fan, there was no one who could rip like OJ, slice through the smallest slit to pierce the soft underbelly of the defense, or cover territory dragging Broncos with him. No matter how you dissect it, that prick carved teams up, plus add his ability to escape punishment at the last second. OJ makes the cut.

In terms of all-around ability, Jim Brown. As for a big-yardage runner, Barry Sanders. For a recieving back, well I'd have to go with Marshall Faulk. And, for a steady, dependable back, I like Emmitt Smith.

I admit I am biased cause I am from Chicago, but, in my opinion, Walter was the best all around back ever! He could run over you, around you and through you. He blocked better than any back I have ever seen. He could pass and kick too. He was just a great all around back. Plus he had an awesome high stepping run. Gayle Sayers was the most entertaining. He was so graceful. Barry Sanders left you in awe. He and Payton were the most gracious sportsmen of their time. Let not forget about the Fridge; he got skills.

Take earl campbell(red lion),jim brown(blue lion), barry sanders(green lion),and marshall faulk(yellow lion),put them all together and you get(VOLTRON) Walter Payton. When he "formed blazing sword"(his stiff arm) he was virtually unstopable.

Jim Brown, hands down. 9 years, no miseed games, in a 12-game season. No bye weeks. Bus travel, segreagated hotels in the 50's. He didn't run out of bounds, he ran you over. If he played for 13 or 14 years in a 16-game season, this isn't even a discussion.

PUNTERS, JUST LIKE KICKERS, ARE NOT FOOTBALL PLAYERS! posted by bucsforever at 11:53 AM CST on December 6 Yeah, I keep forgetting how the Bucs won the Super Bowl without the aid of a kicker or a punter all season long.